On Saturday June 3, Niagara College’s Athletics and Student Engagement department is hosting its second annual Welland Girls Sports Day – a day designed for girls aged six to 12 to participate in and learn about a variety of sports from accomplished female athletes and coaches.
Held in partnership with the City of Welland and Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Welland Girls Sports Day aims to empower girls and their families with the experience, confidence and resources required to get involved in sport and active recreation within their community.
“Getting young girls involved with sport in a safe and healthy way provides them with more opportunities for growth, improves their confidence and promotes the importance of an active lifestyle,” said Michele O’Keefe, Director, Athletics and Student Engagement. “By connecting participants and their families to their local community sport facilities we hope to see more young girls engaged and passionate about sport.”
Taking place at the Empire Sportsplex from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants will have the opportunity to try their hand at softball, basketball, beach volleyball, tennis, golf and soccer as well as adapted volleyball and basketball.
“We are very fortunate to have the Brock Niagara Penguins – a recreational and competitive sport organization for persons with physical disabilities – join us again this year with their talented coaches and athletes to lead the adapted volleyball and basketball stations,” said Recreation Therapy Professor and planning committee member, Erin Wilkie. “In addition to showcasing these specialized sports, Welland Girls Sports Day promotes inclusive participation in all sports for persons with all abilities.”
Participants try adapted basketball at the first Girls Sports Day last year.
New to Girls Sports Day this year is the “Parent Hub” – an interactive, drop-in style leisure education game station organized by Niagara College Recreation Therapy students that will also provide parents with resources for encouraging active recreation and sport.
“Unfortunately, less girls are involved in sports than boys and we have seen the gap widen ever further throughout the pandemic,” said Wilkie. “According to The Rally Report 2022, 1 in 3 girls drop out of sport during adolescence compared to just 1 in 10 boys. This is why we want to encourage more girls to get out and try sports, be active lifelong participants and encourage future young girls and women to get involved.”
Through funding from the Canadian Women & Sport’s Next Play grant, organizers have also been able to build training and activity resources focused on providing diverse and equitable experiences in active recreation and sport for girls. This funding will not only support the delivery of activities to participants, but will also assist staff, coaches and volunteers to increase their capacity to encourage and support all girls with their motivation and participation in the activities.
“Welland Girls Sports Day is all about creating a welcoming and supportive environment for girls to grow their love for sport,” said O’Keefe. “Thank you to all the Niagara College staff, faculty and students as well as our various community partners who are volunteering their time to ensure that the event is a huge success.”
Participants can register for Welland Girls Sport Day by visiting the event website.
Organizers have also partnered with Start Me Up Niagara’s Mobile Closet to collect both new and gently used running shoes which can be donated at the event on June 3.
The first Welland Girls Sports day was held in October 2022.
